Flying shear and control system therefor



June 6, 1933- A. 1;. DE SALARDI 1,913,153

FLYING SHEAR AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR Filed Aug. 14, 1931 3Sheets-Sheet 1 w 19 :c 14 I 1 WWENTOi M; A TTORNEYS.

June 6, 1933. A. B. DE SALARDI FLYING SHEAR AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR'Filed Aug. 14, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR:

M ld fiM wmam ALATTORNEYS.

June 6, 1933. A. B. DE SALARDI 1,913,153

FLYING SHEAR AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR Filed Aug. 14, 1931 I5Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 5

QINVE TOR. h

MJGATTORNEYS.

Patented June 6, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT BERNH ARD DE SALARDI, OF WILKINSBUBB', PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB ToHACKIN'IOSH-HEMPHILL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA ammo sum am)common srsrmr 'rxaaaroa Application filed August 14, 1931. Serial No.556,854.

This invention relates to shears adapted matically co-ordinating thespeed of the shearsto the speed at which the stock is moving so that thelengths of all cut pieces will be equal within predetermined minimum andmaximum limits.

An object of this invention is the provision of a flying shear in whichthe shear blades shall approach the line of cutting in a d1rection thatalways bears a fixed angular relation to the line of travel of themoving stock to be cut.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a flying shear inwhich the line of motion of the shear blades, as they move to and fromcutting position, shall always be at a fixed angle with respect to theline of motion of the stock out thereby.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a flying shear inwhich all points in the shear blade shall have both reciprocating androtary motions.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a flyingshear inwhich each point in the shear blade shall rotate about anindependent center of rotation and in which said independent centersshallbe disposed in a straight line so that the position ofsaid shearblade may be always parallel to the line connecting said centers ofrotation.

And a further object of the invention is the provision of a controlsystem having means for automaticall measuring the lengths of the piecescut rom moving stock and for automatically controlling the speed ofoperation of the shears in accordance with departures in the lengths ofsuch cut pieces from a predetermined standard length.

Further objects of the invention will, in part, be apparent and will, inpart, be ohvious from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawin? in which:

igure 1 is a view in section of a flying shear, taken on line A-A ofFig. 2, arranged and constructed in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the shear shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2a is a fragmentary view of the shear showing an alternative formof shear blade;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a mill and a flyin sheartogether with circuits and apparatus or controlling the len hs of thepleces cut from stock delivered y the mill to the shear while in motion;

Fig. 4 is an end view of: a shear run-off table and control apparatusillustrated in section;-and

Fig. 5 is an end view of a modified form of run-ofl' table and controlapparatus, such as shown in Fig. 4 illustrated schematically.

Throughout the drawings and the specification like reference charactersindicate like parts.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings a flying shear, designated in itsentirety by reference character 1, is shown, which, for purposes ofillustration, comprises a base 2 having vertically disposed side frames3 and 4 mounted thereon.

Shear 1 includes upper and lower shear blades or knives 5 and 6 betweenwhich stock 7 may be moved and pieces of predetermined lengths cuttherefrom while the stock is in motion. The stock may be in the form ofbars, plates, rods, strips etc. all of which are contemplated herein bythe term stock.

As will be more fully set forth herein, the shear blades or knives fiand6 are so mounted and operated that the stock, as it is delivered from amill, may be cut into pieces of predetermined lengths while in motion.

The mounting and operating mechanism for shear bladesor knives 5 and 6is such that the motion of the blades or knives is both reciprocatingand rotary; that is, each and eve point in each knife moves in anindepen ent circle about an inde endent center of rotation while thebody 0 each knife or shear blade as a whole moves in a line which is atall times parallel to a straight line connecting said centers ofrotation. Stated in another way, the shear blades or knives have astraight line reciprocating motion, so that the blades are alwaysparallel to a line assi g through t e centers of rotat on o the 100blades, and a component of motion which is at all times normal to theline of reciprocating motion.

Such motion of the shear blades or knives produces a true shearingaction as will be more fully set forth herein.

It is appreciated that various arrangements and combinations of elementsmay be utilized to obtain the above described motions without departingfrom the spirit or the scope of the invention; therefore, in theinterest of simplicity, a simple form of mechanism is shown by means ofwhich the invention may be practiced.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, lower shear blade 6 is attached by means ofbolts or other well known means to the uppermost end of a knife head-8.Knife head 8- is mounted on crank shafts 9 and 10 which are journalledin main bearings 11 and 12, respectively, carried by side frames 3 and4. The bearing at the point of attachment of knife head 8 to crank shaft9 is formed partly in the body of the knifehead and partly by a bearingcap 13 which is bolted to the knife head.

Similarl at the lower end of knife head 8 the bearing at the point ofattachment of crank shaft 10 to the knife head is formed partly in theend of the knife head and part- 1y b a bearing cap 14 which is bolted tothe kni e head. Such two-part bearings are well known in the art and maybe constructed in a number of different ways.

Crank shafts 9 and 10, as illustrated, are of equal len h and occupy thesame angular position wit respect to a straight line passmg throu h themain bearings 11 and 12 carried in side frames 3 and 4.

Thus it will be apparent that as crank shafts 9 and 10 rotate, knifehead 8 and the shear blade carried thereby will always be parallel to aplane passing through the centers of the main bearings of these crankshafts. It will also be apparent that each point in knife head 8 rotatesin a circle about its own center and that such center lies along theline connecting the main bearings of the crank shafts. The radius of acircle described by such a point is equal to the length of the crankarms of crank shafts 9 and 10. Thus, it will be apparent that as crankshafts 9 and 10 rotate, knife head 8 and the shear blade carried therebywill have bothrotary and reciprocating motions. Therefore the cuttingedge of shear blade 6 will move in a circle such as indicated at 14, thecenter of which is at 15, but the knife head and shear blade as a wholewill reciprocate and its line of motion will be always parallel to theline of centers connecting the main bearings of crank shafts 9 and 10.With the arrangement and location of the crank shafts, as illustrated inFigs. 1 and 2, the line of reciprocating motion of knife head 8 and theshear blade 6 will be always vertical.

In order that knife head 8 and the shear blade carried thereby may havea smooth balanced motion, crank shafts 9 and 10 are counter-balanced bymasses 16 and 17 of such magnitude that the crank shafts, knife head andshear blade may be in a state of equilibrium in all positions to whichthey may be moved.

Upper shear blade 5 is attached to the lowermost end of a knife head 18by bolts or other equivalent means and the knife head is carried bycrank shafts 19 and 20 which are journalled in main bearings 21 and 22carried by side frames 3 and 4. The bearings by which the crankshafts'19and 20 are attached to knife head 18, are constructed in thesame fashion as the corresponding bearings are constructed for crankshafts 9 and 10 and knife head 8. Thus corresponding or similar parts ofthe bearings associated with knife head 18 and crank shafts 19 and 20are designated by primed characters 13' and 14'.

Crank shafts 19\ and 20 occupy the same relative angular position withrespect to a plane passing through thecenters of the main bearingsthereof and the crank arms thereof are of equal length. Thus, the motionof knife head 18 and the knife or shear blade 5 carried thereby will besimilar to the motion of knife head'8 and shear blade 6 thereof.

Crank shafts 19 and 20 are counter-balanced by masses 23 and 24 in orderthat the crank shafts, the knife head carried thereby and the shearblade may be in a state of balancein each and every position to whichthey maybe moved.

In practice the crank arms of crank shafts 9 and .10 may be of the samelength as the crank arms of crank shafts 19 and 20 or they may be ofdifferent lengths. As illustrated the crank arms of crank shafts 9 and10 are longer than the crank arms of crank shafts 19 and 20. In caseswhere it is desired that the knife heads 8 and 18 shall reciprocate ina. vertical direction, the centers of the main bearings of crank shafts910 and 1920 will be disposed in line in the same vertical plane.However, if the line of reciprocating motion will best suit operatingrequirements if disposed at an ang e to the vertical, the line ofcenters connecting the main bearings of the crank shafts may be tiltedto one side or the other of such vertical line or plane.

If the stock to be cut by shear blades 5 and 6 is moving at apredetermined speed, it will be apparent that the length of the piecescut thereby will be determined or governed by the ratio of the number ofrevolutions per unit of time at which the crank shafts 9 and 10 arerotating to the number of revolutions at which crank shafts 19 and 20are rotating. To state a specific case, suppose that crank shafts 9 and10 are rotating at four revolutions per unit of time and crank shafts 19and 20 are rotating at five revolutions per unit of time, then shearblades and 6 will meet in shearing position each fifth revolution ofcrank shafts 19 and 20.

With the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the point at whichthe shearing of the stock is completed lies along the vertical plane.connecting the centers of the main crank shaft bearings 11, 12, 21 and22.

' However, it will be apparent that the beginning of theshearing actiontakes place to the left of the vertical line of centers as viewed fromFig. 1. If the shear blades are approaching the stock to be cut in therelative positions illustrated in full lines in Fig. 1, the shearingact-ion will'be completed when the shear blades occupy the relativepositions indicated in broken lines in Fig. 1.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the cutting edges of shear blades 5 and 6 aredisposed parallel to the adjacent surfaces of stock 7 passingtherebetween. However, the cutting edges of the shear blades may bedisposed at an angle as indicated by broken lines 26 and 27 in Fig. 2a.If the stock to be cut is of relatively small dimensions, the cuttingedges of the shear blades may be parallel to each other, but if thestock to be cut presents a large shearing width, the cutting edges ofthe knife blades may be disposed at an angle to each other, as mentionedabove.

In order that crank shafts 9 and 10 and 19 and 20 may be driven atspeeds bearing a fixed ratio to each other, the crank shafts areconnected positively by gear mechanism to a single driving motor 28.Motor 28 may be an electric motor and is mounted on the base of themachine, as indicated in Fig. 2. The armature shaft of motor 28 carriesa pinion 29 that meshes with a driving gear 30 of a speed reducer 31,the end gear 32 of which meshes with a pinion 33 attached to crank shaft9. End gear 32 meshes with a gear 34 associated with a speed-change gearbox 35 having anend gear 36' that meshes with a pinion 37 attached tocrank shaft 20. Thus, for any gear ratio between pinion 33 carried bycrank shaft 9 and pinion 37 carried by crank shaft 20, it will beapparent that shear blades 5 and 6 will rotate and reciprocate at adefinite fixed ratio with respect to each other. a

In order that crank shafts 9 and 10 may be positively driven, a gear 38is mounted on crank shaft 9 at the opposite end from which pinion 33 ismounted, and this gear meshes with an idling gear 39 carried by sideframe 3 which in turn meshes with a gear 40 attached to crank shaft 10.Gears 38, and 40 have the same number of teeth, thus crank shafts 9 and10 will be driven at the same speed and the crank arms of these crankshafts will always occupy the same relative angular position.

While gears 38, 39 and 40 are shown mounted on the ends of the crankshafts opposite to that on which pinion 33 is mounted, it is to beunderstood that all of these gears may be disposed on the same side ofthe machine as pinion 33. Such location of the gears 3, and a gear 43attached to crank shaft 19.-

These gears may also be mounted-on the same side of the crank shafts asthat on which pinion 37 is attached to crank shaft 20, but in order tosimplify the drawings, the gears and pinions have beenillustrated'atopposite ends of the crank shafts.

With an arrangement such as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, it willbeuudcrstood that the speed of motor 28wi11 be coordinated andcontrolled in accordance with the speedof the stock delivered from therolling mill so asto insure uniformity in the lengths of the pieces cutfrom the stock.

Where an arrangement, such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is employed,thelengths of the pieces cut from the moving stock may be fixed ordetermined by selecting the proper gears operating in speed-change gearbox 35. Thus the ratio of revolutionsmade by upper crank shafts 19v20 tothe revolutions made by the lower crank shafts 9-10, may be so'adjustedthat, for a given speed of travelof the stock, the lengths of the piecescut therefrom may be determined and fixed. I"

The lengths of the pieces cut may also'be determined and fixed bychangingthe patio, ,of gear reduction between motor'28ahdend gear 32 ofthe speed reducer z or th speed of motor 28 may be adjusted until the,rela tion of the speed at which the shears are operating'to the speedat which the stock is moving, is such that the des red lengths of cutpieces are obtained.

If, in practice, the speed at which the stock leaves the mill rollsremained constant, it would be a relatively simple matter to obtainuniformity in the lengths of the pieces cut therefrom, because as statedabove, the mill roll speed and the speed of the shear drivingmotor beara fixed relation to one another. However, in practice. the speed oftravel of the stock varies with the temperature thereof, as it passesthrough the mill rolls. and other well known factors. Therefore in orderto obtain uniformity in the lengths of the pieces cut. the shear speedand the speed of travel of the stock mustbe so coordinated that theratio of these speeds will remain practically constant. Thus, if thespeed of the stock decreases. the shear speed must be reduced inproportion by reducing the speed driving motor in response to and inaccordance with departures in the lengths of such pieces from apredetermined 7 standard. Thus, ifthc cut pieces are too long, the speedof the shear motor must be increased, or if too short, the motor speedmust be decreased.

The matter of changing the speed of the shear driving-motor with respectto the mill roll speed may be accomplished in numerous ways. But inorder to obtain the correct relative speeds, a control system should beemployed that will effect such speed changes in incremental steps, themoment the lengths of-the cut pieces vary from a predetermined standard.I

In Fig. 3 of the, drawings I have illustrated a. set of mill rolls, aflying shear and a runoff table, together with a control system which inoperation measures the lengths of the pieces cut from the stockdelivered from the mill to the flyingshear, and automatically controlsthe speed ofthe'shear driving motor in accordance with variations ordepartures in the lengths of the cut pieces from a predeterminedstandard.

As shown in Fig. 3, a set of mill rolls and 46 deliver stock 7 to flyingshear 1. The stock as it leaves the mill rolls passes over a shearrun-on table which isrepresen'ted by rolls 47 and 48 disposed betweenthe flying shear andthe mill rolls, and a roup of rolls 49, disposed tothe right of the ying shear as viewed from Fig. 3, which represent theshear run-off table. The group of rolls 49 are driven at a higher speedthan the rolls between the flying shear and the mill rolls, so that thepieces cut from the stock by the flying shear, may be propelled or movedforward at a higher speed of travel than that at which the stockapproaches the shear from the mill rolls. Thus by choosing the properdifference between the operating speeds of the run-off table rolls andthe run-on table rolls, the spacing between adjacent ends of pieceswhich have been cut from the stock may be predetermined and regulated tosuit operating requirements.

Instead of employing an electric motor for driving shear 1 and thenecessary control equipment for maintaining a fixed speed relationbetween the mill rolls and theshear driving motor, an hydraulictransmission is utilized, for example a Waterbury transmission. Such atransmission includes a pumping unit 50 which is driven by mill roll 45through gears 51 and 52, and a receiving unit or motor 53, the rotor ofwhich (not shown), is coupled to crank shaft 19. Crank shaft 19 carriesa gear 55 that meshes with an idling gear 56 which in turn meshes with agear 57 secured to crank shaft 20 of the flying shear. Thus it will beapparent that gears 55, 56 and 57 correspond to and perform the functionof gears 41, 42 and 43 illustrated in Fig. 2.

Lower crank shafts 9 and 10 of the flying shear are driven from crankshaft 20 by means of gears 59 and 60. Gear 59 is mounted on crank shaft20 and gear 60 is mounted on crank shaft 9. The lower crank shafts 9 and10 are mechanically cou led by gears 61, 62 and 63 which correspon toand perform the function of gears 38, 39 and 40 shown in Fi 2.

Liquid is circulated from pumping unit 50 to the receiving or motor unit53 by means of pipes 63 and 64. The pressure and the quantity of liquiddelivered by the umping unit to the motor unit is controlled yregulating the effective stroke of pistons (not shown) disposed withinthe housing of the pumping unit. Such structure is well known in the artand is, therefore, illustrated only schematically as the details thereofare well known.

The stroke of the pistons in the pumping unit is regulated by means of acontrol shaft 65 which when turned in one direction or the otherincreases or decreases the stroke of the pistons. In order that thecontrol shaft may be turned in one direction or another to effect adesired change in the piston stroke within the pumping unit and therebyto either increase or decrease the speed of the motor unit which drivesthe flying shear, a worm wheel 66 is mounted on shaft 65. A worm pinion67 meshes with worm wheel 66, the pinion being driven by a reversingmotor 68. The motor illustrated is of the direct current series t pe andincludes an armature and a series eld winding 69. A series motor isshown because it is easily and simply illustrated. However, either ashunt or a compound wound direct current motor would be more suitablefor the. purpose intended.

In order that the direction of operation of motor 68 may be reversed, areversing switch 70 is provided. As illustrated the reversing switch hasthree positions: neutral, forward and reverse. When the switch is in theforward position worm wheel 66 and shaft 65 are turned in such adirection that the speed of the motor unit of-the hydraulic transmissionis increased to increase the speed of the flying shear in cases wherethe length of the pieces out are longer than desired. If the switch isin the reverse position control shaft 65 is turned in the oppositedirection thereby decreasing the s eed of the motor unit 53 and thespeed 0 the engths.

Reversing switch comprises stationary contact members 71, 72 and 73 andmovable cont-act members 7 4 and 75. The movable contact members areconnected to a rod 76 having cores 77 and 78 thereon. A solenoidv 79 isprovided for actuating the switch to its reverse position which isindicated in full lines in Fig. 3 and a solenoid 80 disposed adjacent tocore 78 is provided for actuating the switch to the forward position.When the switch is in the reverse posltion movable contact members 74and engage stationary contact members 71 and 72, and when in the forwardposition they engage stationary contact members 72 and 73.

The source of power for energizing motor 58 and solenoids 79 and isindicated at 81 and is preferably of the direct current type.

In order that switch 70 may be operated manually a lever 82 is provided.The upper end of lever 82 is bifurcated to accommodate a pin 83 attachedto rod 76. L ever 82 is normally urged to a vertical pos1t1on as viewedfrom Fig. 3 by means of a tension spring 84. When lever 82 is in avertical position, switch 70 is in its neutral positlon. Thus spring 84tends to urge switch 70 to its neutral position.

In order that solenoid 79 may be energized when it is desired todecrease the speed of motor unit 53 and the speed of flylng shear 1, arelay 86 is provided. Relay 86 1s preferably} of the time delay type,that 1s, relay '86 islone which, when energized, remains closed, thatis, in its circuit mak ng position, for apredetermined length of tlmeafter it has been deenergized. Relay 86 is also of the type that willclose even though it is only momentarily energlzed. Belay 86 includes anarmature 87 which is dlsposed to bridge a pair of normally opencontactmem- 92 bers disposed 'in series with solenoid 79.

Thus", when relay 86 is energized armature .87 will bridge these contactmembers and connect solenoid 79 to source of .power 81 through a circuitwhich will be hereinafter described.

In order that switch 70 may be actuated to its forward position, tothereby increase the speed of motor unit 58 and the speed of flyingshear 1,.a relay 88 is provided. Relay 88 is similar to relay "86 andincludes an armature 89 which, when the relay is energized, bridges apair of normally open contact members disposed in circuit with solenoid80. Thus, when these contact members are bridged by. armature 89,solenoid 80 will be connected to source of power 81, through a circuitwhich will be hereinafter described, whereby armature 78 will beattracted by solenoid 80 and the switch actuated to its forwardposition.

i In order that relay 86 may be energized to effect an increase in speedof motor unit '53 andflying shear 1 when the pieces cut from the movingstock 7 are longer than a predetermined standard length, light sensitivedevices 91 and 92 and a circuit controlling device 93 are provided.Light sensitive devices 91 and 92 are disposed in the path of lightbeams 94 and 95, respectively,

which emanate from light sending devices 96 and 97, respectively. Lightsensitive devlces 91 and 92 may be of the type which when exposed tolight permit the flow of current therethrough and when not exposed tolight no current flows. Relay 93 which is controlled conjointly by lightsensitive devices 91 and 92 is of the type which is normally open, butwhich moves to its circuit closing position when light beams 94 and 95are intercepted by a piece which has been 'cut from stock 7 by flyingshear 1. Relay 93 when closed effects the energization of relay 88 sothat when the pieces cut from stock 7 are too long, that is, longer thanthe predetermined standard of length, switch 70 Wlll be actuated to itsforward position whereby the speed of motor unit 53 and that of flyingshear 1 is increased in the manner hereinbefore described. When thespeed of flying shear 1 is increased it will be apparent that the piecescut from stock 7 will be shorter.

In practice, light sensitive device 91 and light source 96 are spaced atsuch a distance from llght sensitive device 92 and light sending source97 that the distance between light beams 94 and 95 is equal to themaximum length of the pieces cut from stock 7. When the pieces cut fromthe stock are longer than distance B, and are equal to a length such asindicated by E, then light beams 94 and 95 will be intercepted and willbe prevented from reaching light sensitive devices 91 and In order thatthe speed of motor unit 53 and that of flying shear 1 may be decreasedwhen the lengths of the pieces cut from stock 7 are shorterthan apredetermined minimum length, a light sensitive device 98 and a lightposed to a light beam 100 emitted from light source 99 becomesconductive in that it per-- these light sensitive devices will bedesignat ed by the same reference characters.

Light sensitive device 91 includes a housing or closure member 101 inwhich is disosed a light sensitive cell 102. Cell 102 may be a seleniumcell although other forms of light sensitive devices may be employed,such as photo-glow and grid-glow tubes; but where such are usedadditional apparatus, as transformers, amplifiers and etc. are requiredin order that they may function properly. Of the light sensitive devicesmentioned, the selenium cell is the simplest to illustrate.

Light sensitive device 91 also includes a lens 103 disposed adjacent toa window 104 in housing 101 through which light beam 94 passes.

Since in operation the standard. of length of the pieces cut from stock7 may vary from time to time, the position of light sensitive devices91, 92, 98 and light source 96, 97 and 99 must be changed according tothe lengths of the pieces into which stock 7 is to be cut. Therefore, inorder that the light sensitive devices and the light emitting devicesmay be moved from one position to another, each light sensitive deviceis provided with contact rollers 105 and 106. Rollers 105 and 106 oflight sensitive device 98 make contact with rail 108 and a rail 109,respectively, and rollers 105 and 106 of light sensitive device 92 makecontact with rail 108 and'rail 110. Rail 107 is connected to. thepositive terminal of the source of supply 81 and rail 109 is connectedby a conductor 111 to one terminal of relay 86, and the other terminalthereof is connected by a conductor 112 to the negative terminal of thesource of supply 81. Thus, when light beams 94 and 100 impinge onselenium cells 102 of light sensitive devices 91 and 98 simultaneously,current flows from the positive terminal of supply source 81 throughrail 107 roller 106, cell 102 ofdevice 91, rail 108, roller 105 ofdevice 98, roller 106, rail 109, conductor 111, the coil winding ofrelay 86 and the conductor 112 to the negative ter- I minal of supplysource 81.

From the above description of the circuit connections of light sensitivedevices 91 and 98, it will be apparent that the light sensitive cells102 thereof are connected in series with relay 86 across the source ofsupply 81. Thus, when the pieces cut from stock 7 are shorter thandistance A between light beams 94 and 100, relay 86 will be energizedintermittently so long as such pieces are shorter than-distance A, thuscausing relay 86 to-close and actuate switch'70 to the reverse ositionin which position, as stated previous y herein, the speed of motor unit53 and that of flying shear 1 is decreased which results in thelonger-pieces being cut from stock 7.

Light sendin devices 96, 97 and 99, as illustrated, are 0 similarconstruction and embody corresponding or similar parts, hence adescription of one will sufiice for all and corresponding parts will bedesignated by.similar reference characters.

Light sending device 96 comprises a housing or'closure member 115 inwhich is disposed a source of light such as an electric incandescentlight 116 and a lens 117 disposed between light source 116 and aprojector 118 formed on housing 115. Incandescent light 116 may beconnected to a suitable source of power so that a light beam, such as94, will always be emitted through projector 118 in line with theopening 104 in light sensitive device 91.

Circuit controlling device 93 comprises a pair of contact members 120and a bimetallic temperature responsive element 121 disposed to bridgecontact membersv 120 when light beam 94 and/or light beam 95 areintercepted by pieces cut from stock 7 which are longer than distance B.Bimetallic member 121, so long as the pieces cut from stock 7 areshorterthan distance B, occupies a curved osition, as indicated in fulllines in Fig. 3. lement 121 is caused to assume this position by thethermal energy which is imparted thereto from a resistor 122, which isdisposed in series with light sensitive cells- 102 of devices 91 and 92across supply source 81 and energized when the pieces cut from stock 7are shorter than the distance between light beams 94 and 95. Thus, themoment one or the other of light beams 94 and 95 is intercepted by apiece cut from stock'7, resistor 122 is deenergized thereby causingelement 121 to cool. As'it cools it assumes a straight line position andbridges contact members 120 whereby a'circuit is completed for relay 88that extends from rail 107, through contact members 120, bridged bybridging member 121, a conductor 123, the coil winding of relay 88 andconductor 112 to the negative side of supply source 81. Thus, relay 88is energized and closed whereby solenoid 80 is energized and switch isactuated to its forward position. When in its forward position, asstated hereinbefore, the speed of motor 53 and flying shear 1 isincreased. Such increase in speed of motor 53 and shear 1 results inshorter pieces being cut from stock 7. The speed of motor 53 and shear 1will gradually increase until light sensitive cells .102 of devices 91and 92 are again exposed to light beams 94 and 95. When these lightsensitive devices are exposed to these beams of light current flowsthrough resistor 122 whereby bimetallic-member 121 will be 5 caused toassume'its curved position in-which position relay 88 is deenergized andswitch 70 returned to its neutral position. a

From the above it will be apparent that a Tiystem is disclosed wherebythe speed of the ying shear ma be coordinated to the speed at whichstock is moving so that the speed of the shear may be automaticallyincreased or decreased until the pieces cut from the stock are of thedesired predetermined standard of len h. i

urin the operation of a system such as disclose in Fig. 3, it may happenthat the speed of the stock and the speed of operation of the flyingshear arein the correct relation relative to one another to produce thedesired standard. length of cut pieces, when the stock delivered frommill rolls 45 and 46 to the flying shear-runs out. In such case itisdesirable to maintain the previous relative speeds between the movingstock and the flying shear so that when the feed of stock from the millrolls is again renewed, the proper speed relation will exist between theflying shears and the stock. Therefore, in order to maintain the samespeed of operation of the flying shear until the feed of stock isrenewed, a light sensitive device 126, alight emitting device 127 and arelay 128 are provided. Li ht sensitive device 126 is like lightsensitive evice 91 and light emitting device 127 is like device 96.Hence corres ending and similar parts are designated by t e samereference characters.

Relay 128 when energized disconects motor 40 68 from the source ofsupply 81 so that when relay 128 opens, motor 53 and flying shear 51will continue to operate at the speed at which they were operatingbefore the relay opened. The coil winding of relay 128 is disposed 4 inseries with light sensitive cells 102 of devices 126 and 91 through acircuit that extends from rail 107, selenium cell 102 of dea vice 91,rail 108, selenium cell 102 of device 126, a rail 129 and the coilwinding of relay 59 128 to the negative side of supply source 81. Solong as stock is being delivered from mill rolls and 46 to flying shear1, light beam 130 emanating from light source device 127 will beintercepted by the material being cut as shown clearly in Fig. 3.However,

when no material is being carried by rollers 49 adjacent to flyingshear'l, light beam 130 will impinge on selenium cell 102 of device 126and light beam 94 will impinge on selenium cell 102 of device 91 simutaneously. Thus, both of the selenium cells respond, in that theresistance thereof is lowered on account of exposure to light, andcurrent flows from rail 107 through cells 102 of devices 91 and 126andthe coil winding of relay 128 to the negative side of the sourceofsupply. Thus when relay 128 opens motor 68 is deenergized and the flyingshear will continue to operate at the speed at which it was operatmgbefore the relay opened.

In ractice' light beams 130 and 94 are space a distance C apart, andthis distance is such that it is always greater than distance D. Asillustrated, distance D is the s acing between the end of a piece ofstock w ich is 1n shearing position, but which has not been moyed awayfrom the flying shear, and the ad acent end of a piece which has beensevered or sheared from stock '7. Thus, the stock which is in shearingposition will not interfere with the measuring of the lengths of the cutpieces by devices 9l96,9899 and 9297.

Lights 7, g, h, and i, of different colors, may be connected in serieswith conductors 111, 123 and resistor 122 to indicate the working of thecontrol system, and also to indicate whether the lengths of the piecesout are longer or shorter than the desired length.

In order to provide for manual adjustment in the speed of flying shear,a movable contact member 131 is provided which may be opened and closedwhile relay 128 is open to .eifect o )eration of motor 68' until theneces sary adJustments have been made in the relative speeds of flyingshear motor 53 and the spialed of. the stock delivered from the mill ros.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings a form of construction of the run-off tableand the mounting of the light sensitive devices and the light emittingdevices are illustrated. The view illustrated in Fig. 4 being part1 insection may be considered as taken a ong lines IVI-V of Fig. 3.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the run-oif table comprises a bedplate 132having vertical side frames 133 and 134' mounted thereon. The sideframes carry stub shafts on which the rollers 49 are mounted. The outerends of the stub shafts are provided with .bevel gears 135 that meshwith bevel gears 136 carried by line shafts 137 that extendlongitudinally of the side frames of the run-ofl table. A piece.

which has been cut by the flying shear from stock 7 is indicated at 138.This piece rides on rollers 49 which are driven at a predetermined speedby the line shafts 137 and the gears associated therewith.

Light sensitive device 98 and light emit ting device 99 are shownmounted on the side frames of the run-ofl table on each side of piece138. These devices are so positioned that light beam 100 passes betweenthe ends of rollers 49 and in line with the opening in housing 101 sothat when piece 138 is shorter than distance A indicated in Fig. 3, thislight beam will impinge on photocell 102.

Light sensitive device 92 is mounted on the opposite side of the tablefrom light sensitive device 98 and light emitting device 97 is disposedbelow rollers 49 and on the opposite side of the run-ofl' table fromthat on I which device 99 is mounted. Devices 92 and 97 are disposed inalignment so that light beam 95 always impinges on hotocell 102 ofdevice 92 so long as the lengt of iece 138 is less than the distance Bindicated m Fig. .3. In Fig. 3 of the drawings it appears that lightsensitive devices 92 and 98 are disposed at a considerable distanceapart, but in actual practice these devices will be mounted in suchposition that light beams 95 and 100 Wlll be relatively close togetheras determlned by the maximum and minimum limits regarding the lengthsinto which pieces 138 maybe out.

With the arrangement as illustrated in Flg.

4, these devices may be so adjusted that the light beams may intersector so that the light beams may be spaced apart at anypredetermineddistance.

As illustrated in Fig.4, housing 101 of light sensitive device 98 ismounted on a base 140 which is held in place by guides 141 and 142, theguides being secured to a plate 143 that extends longitudinally of sideframe 133. Plate 143 is carried by brackets 143 sultably spaced alongthe side frames 133.

Rollers 105 and 106 through WhlCl'l current flows to selenium cell 102are mounted on metallic supports 145 and 146 respectively that extendthrough housing 101 and into the interior thereof. Supports 145 and 146are secured to the housing by means of insulator bushings 147. Rollers105 and 106 engage rails 108 and 109 which are carried by a support 149forming part. of the run-01f table. As illustrated, the rails 108 and109 are insulated from support 149 by insulation as indicated at 150.Devices 92, 97 and 99 are mounted in place on the machine in the samemanner as device 98, hence corresponding and similar parts aredesignated by the same reference characters.

In order that electric current may plied to lights 116 in devices 96, 999 and 127, for any position to which they may be shifted, a pair ofrails 167 and 168 may be mounted on side frames 133 and 134, which '50contact with rollers 169 and 170 connected to the terminals of thelights. The rails may be insulated from the frames as indicated at 171.It is to be understood that rails 167 and 168 are connected to thesource of electric power supply.

In order that light sensitive device 92 and light sending or emittingdevice 97 may be maintained in exact alignment while being moved fromone position to another, spindles 151 are provided that extend throughthe bases 140 and longitudinally of the run-ofi' table. The spindles areprovided with worm wheels 152 that mesh with worms 153 mounted on shafts154 and 154' respectively. Shafts 154 and 154' have bevel gears 155thereon be sup- .crank 158 in one direction or the other light sensitivedevice 92 and light emitting device 97 may be moved longitudinally ofthe runoif table either towards or away from flying shear 1.

Light sensitive device 98 and light emitting device 99 are also providedwith spindles 151 for moving them longitudinally of the runoff tableeither towards or away from flying shear 1,, the spindles being arrangedfor turning to move these devices by a similar arrangement as thatillustrated for moving light sensitive device 92 and light emittingdevice 97.

Thus with an arrangement such as illustrated in Fig. 4, lightsensitivedevice 92 and its cooperating light emitting device 97 andlight sensitive device 98 and its cooperating light emitting device 99may be moved to- Wards or from each other until the desired distance isobtained between light beams 95 and 100.

It is to be understood that light sensitive devices 91 and lightemitting device 96 and light sensitive device 126 with its associatedlight emitting device 127 are similarly mount ed on the run-ofi' table.Thus, all of these devices may be moved longitudinally of the run-ofl'table until the proper adjustments are obtained that will insure closeadherence in the lengths of the pieces cut from stock 7 to the standardlength of piece to be cut as fixed or governed by the spacing of thelight sensitive and light emitting devices.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings a modified form r of run-oil table isillustrated. The run-ofl' table there illustrated comprises a bedplate160 having vertical side forms 161 and 162 that'carry a plurality ofrollers 163. The supporting shafts of the rollers are journalled inbearings in the side forms as indicated at 164. Since roller 163 spanssubstantially the full distance between the side frames, the lightsensitive devices and the light emitting devices are disposed above thetable but in such position that the light beams will intercept the pathof travel of the pieces cut from the stock by the flying shear, such apiece being indicated at 166. The view illustrated in F ig. 5'may beconsidered as taken along lines IV-IV of Fig. 3. Since the lightsensitive devices and the light emitting devices shown in Fig. 5 are thesame as those indicated in Fig. 4 and in Fig. 3, they are indicated bycorresponding numerals.

In the operation of the system and the flying shear controlled thereby,upper and lower shear heads 18 and 8 are rotated and reciprocated atsuch speeds that the linear velocity of shear knives 5 and 6 aresubstantially equal to each other and also substantially equal to thelinear velocity of moving stock 7. The pumping unit driven by mill roll45 and the motor unit 53 which drives the flying shear are adjusted toobtain the abovementioned relation between the linear velocity of theshear blades and 6 and of the moving stock 7.

So long as the linear velocity of stock 7 remains constant, the, piecescut by the shear from the moving stock will be of uniform lengths andsuch lengths will be determined by, for a given velocity of stock, thenumber of times shear blades 5 and- 6 meet in shearing position in agiven unit of time.

The light sensitive control elements are spaced at such distances thatif the lengths of the pieces cut from the stock are longer or shorterthan a predetermined standard, control apparatus actuated by these llghtsensltive devices, will function to either 1nc re ase or decrease thespeed of the shear driving motor until the linear speed of shear bladesand that of the moving stock are brought mto the proper relation toproduce cut pieces of a predetermined standard of length.

The shear blades 5 and 6 having both rotational and reciprocatingmotions, the shear blades will shear the stock into pieces w1th astraight line shearing motion. Thus, the stock is sheared in the truesense of the word and is not pulled apart. While the shear blades arepassing through shearing position, the blades are also movinghorizontally, or in line with the line of motion of the stock being cut.Thus the movement of the stock while being sheared does notinterferewith such true shearing motion.

While but one form of shear has been illustrated and the system ofcontrol for governing the length of the pieces cut therebyis illustratedonly schematically, it will be understood that various modifications andchanges may be made in the apparatus and system disclosed withoutdepartingfrom the spirit and the scope of the invention. Although twoforms of run-ofi table have been illustrated, it will be appreciated, bythose skilled in this particular art, that the details of these tablesadmit of modifications and changes without departing from the spirit orthe scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention it is to .be understood that onlysuch limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior artand the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A flying shear comprising at least two independent groups of rotatlngmultiple crank shafts in which the crank arms of a group are of equallengths, a shear element carried by the crank arms of each group ofmultiple shafts in such manner that said shear elements have bothrotational and rec1procating motions, and means for bringmg said shearelements into shearing position when the crank shafts of one of saidgroups have turned a predetermined number of revoluions.

2. A flying shear comprisin a plurality of 1ndependent groups ofmultiple crank shafts havlng thelr centers of rotation disposed in acommon plane, a support carried by the cranks of each group of multipleshafts, the cranks 1n each group occupying the same radial position reative to each other, a shear blade carried by each support, and meansfor drlvmg' the crank shafts at such rotational speeds that when thecrank shafts of one of said groups have turned a predetermined number ofrevolutions, the shear blade associated therewith will be in shearinposition w1th the shear blade associated with another of said groups ofmultiple crank shafts.

6. In combination with feedin rolls, a tlymg shear for cutting stockwhile 1n motion, into pieces as it is delivered from said rolls, motormeans for driving said shear, and means responsive to the lengths of thepieces out from said stock for coordinating the speed of operation ofsaid motor means to the speed of travel of the stock.

t. In combination with feeding rolls, a flying shear for cutting stockwhile inmotion, into pieces as it is delivered from said rolls, motormeans for driving said shear, and means responsive to the lengths of thepieces cut from said stock for increasing the speedpf sald motor meansif the lengths of t e pieces out are greater than a predeterminedstandard of length, and decreasing the speed of said motor means whenthe lengths of said pieces are less than said predetermined standard.

e. In combination with feeding rolls, a flying shear for cutting stockwhile in motion, into pieces as it is delivered from said rolls, motormeans for driving said shear, means responsive to the lengths of thepieces cut from said stock for increasing the speed of said motor meansif the lengths of the.

pieces cut are greater than a predetermined standard of length, anddecreasing the speed of said motor means when the lengths of said piecesare less than said predetermined standard, and means for rendering itslength responsive means inoperative when no stock is passing throu hsaid shears.

6. The combination with a flying shear, an adjustable speed motor fordriving said shear, control mechanism for increasing or decreasing thespeed of said motor, and means for feeding stock to said shears to hecut into pieces of predetermined lengths, of electrical light sensitivedevices disposed adjacent the line of motion of the cut pieces inpredetermined spaced relation for controlling the speed of said motor asthe cut pieces depart in length from the distances between said lightsensitive devices.

7- T e combination with a flying shear,

an adjustable speed motor for driving said shear, means for feedingstock to the shear, and means for movin pieces cut from said stock awayfrom the 5188,! at a speed higher than that at which the stockapproaches the shear, of control apparatus for-re ulating the speed ofsaid motor, including e ectrical li ht sensitive devices spacedlongitudinally 05 the line of motion of said out pieces, the distancebetween certain of said devices being approximately equal to the minimumlength of out pieces, light sources disposed to pro ect a beam of lighton each light sensitive device, said light beams intersecting the lineof motion of the stock, the said devices which define approximately theminimum length of cut pieces, when simultaneously exposed to light,being operative to initiate operation of the control mechanism todecrease the speed of said shear driving motor.

8. In combination with a flying shear, a motor for driving the shear,means for feeding stock to the shear to be out while in mo tion, and arun-oil table for moving pieces cut from the stock away from the shear,of

' a plurality of light beam projecting devices associated with saidrun-ofi' table, the light beams of said devices being disposed tointersect the line of motion of said out pieces,

an electric light sensitive device disposed in the path of each lightbeam, said light beams being separated at points defining the minimumand maximum lengths of the cut pieces,

' motor for driving the shear,

and control apparatus responsive to the simultaneous exposure ofpredetermined pairs of said light sensitive devices to beams oflight forcoordinating the speed of said motor, hence the speed of operation ofthe shear, to the len ths of the pieces, cut from the moving stocfi.

9. The combination with an adjustable speed flying shear and a run-ofi'table along which pieces of stock out by said shear are moved, of aplurality of pairs of electric light sensitive devices and light beamprojecting devices disposed longitudinally,of salq table with the lightbeams intersecting the line of motion of the pieces of stock, saiddevices being so spaced that the distance between one of said beams andconsecutive beams define the maximum and minimum lengths of pieces ofstock passing over said table, said devices being disposed to operatewhen said pieces deviate from said maximum and minimum lengths, andmeans controlled by the operation of said devices for adjustin the speedof the shear in accordance with the deviations in the lengths of thepieces cut, from the maximum and minimum lengths.

10. In combination with a flying shear, a

means for feeding stock to said shear to be cut into pieces, the len hsof which may vary between predetermlned maximum and minimum lengths, anda run-ofi' table for moving the pieces cut away from the shear, of apair of serially connected electric light sensitive devices disposedalon said run-off table and spaced apart at a istance proportional tothe minimum lengths of the pieces to be cut, ap aratus under the controlof said light sensltive devices for decreasing the speed of the sheardrivintg motor, light emitting devices arrange to project light beamsupon said light sensitive devices, said devices intersecting the gath oftravel of said pieces,'said sensltive evices when simultaneously exposedto said light being efiective to actuate said control apparatus todecelerate said motor, another lig t sensitive device serially connectedwith one of the other of said devices, the spacing between which beingproportional to the maximum lengths of pieces cut, a source of lighthaving means for projecting a beam of light upon said last mentionedight sensitive device, said beam also intersecting the path of travel ofsaid pieces, and control apgaratus for increasing the speed of saidshear rivmg motor when said last mentioned beam of light and the beam oflight associated with the light sensitive device which is seriallyconnected to said last mentioned sensitive device are intercepted by cutieces of stock which are longer than the predetermined maximum length.

11. In combination with a flying shear, a motor for driving the shear,means for'feeding stock to said shear to be cut into pieces, the lengthsof which may vary between predetermined maximum and minimum lengths, anda run-off table for moving the pieces cut away from the shear, of a pairof serially connected electric light sensitive devices disposed alongsaid run-ofi table and spaced apart at a istance proportional to theminimum len hs of the pleces to be cut, apparatus un er the control ofsaid light sensi-' tive devices for decreasing the speed of the sheardriving motor, li ht emitting devices arranged to project lig t beamsupon said light sensitive devices, said beams intersecting the path, oftravel of said pieces, said sensitive devices when simultaneouslyexposed to said light being effective to actuate said control a paratusto decelerate said motor, another light sensitive device seriallyconnected with one of the other of said devices, the spacing betweenwhich being proportional to the maximum lengths of pieces cut, asourceof light having means for projecting a beam of light upon said last mengtioned light sensitive device, said beam also for simultaneously movingat least one of said light sensitive devices and the li ht sourceassociated therewith longitudina y of the run-ofi table to increase ordecrease the lengths of the pieces cut from said stock.

12.-In combmation with feedin rolls, a flying shear for cutting stock,whi e in motion, into pieces as it is fed to the shear by said rolls,and means responsive to the lengths of the ieces cut from said stock forcoordinating t e speed of o eration of the shear to the speed of travel0 the stock.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 24th dayof July, 1931: ausm asanmum m: SALARDI.

